When scaling a cause, should you pick passionate volunteers or capable ones?

Most instinctively say passion. But Uma Thana Balasingam’s journey scaling Lean In Singapore to 7,000+ members tells a different story.

Here’s the hard truth she discovered: Passionate people don’t always make great leaders. When she and her co-founder started delegating leadership roles to their most committed volunteers, they hit a wall. Leading a movement isn’t just about heart - it’s a skill. Managing complexity, making tough calls, and leading others require more than just good intentions.

The dilemma?

• Capable people execute brilliantly but often vanish when things get tough.
• Passionate people stay committed but can struggle with execution.

Early on, you don't have the luxury of choice - you work with whoever shows up.

But as you scale, the reality sets in:

• Passion without execution creates chaos.
• Execution without passion creates emptiness.

You need both.

In the latest How to Live podcast, Uma and I unpack this challenge. From founding Lean In Singapore to leadership roles at VTech, Dell, and IBM, to now building Elevate to champion women across Asia - she's lived this tension between passion and capability.

If you're wrestling with turning your purpose into impact, this conversation is for you.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/088-turning-purpose-into-action-with-Uma-balasingam

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When resources are limited, how do you still access the best?

Afeef Hussain wanted his team - and his country Maldives - to learn from the world’s top minds. But bringing in world-class speakers and trainers isn’t cheap.

So instead of saying, "We can’t afford them," he asked, "How can we make it work?"

His solution? Leverage what he had.

He invited top experts - leaders like Stephen M.R. Covey and other global thought leaders - to experience the Maldives, offering them world-class hospitality at Lux Resorts. In return, they shared their knowledge, mentoring his team and raising the leadership standards of an entire nation.

Resourcefulness beats resources.

Today, the Maldives isn’t just a paradise for tourists - it’s known as a place where top talent comes to learn, grow, and further their careers.

We talked about this mindset - and much more - on the latest episode.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/087-wisdom-from-the-maldives-with-Afeef-Hussain

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Forget six-packs - in your 40s, fitness is about feeling good, not looking good.

Let’s face it - most of us in our 40s aren’t hitting the gym for six-packs or beach bodies anymore. The idea of chasing aesthetics just doesn’t feel exciting or meaningful. But here’s the twist: strength training and fitness aren’t about looking good- they’re about feeling good.

When you feel strong and healthy, everything changes. You’re more productive at work, more present with your family, energised for your friends, and - most importantly - happier within yourself.

In the latest episode of How to Live, I speak with Alex Mearns, founder of Levitise, who works with C-suite leaders to transform their fitness and health holistically. His clients include leaders from BCG, UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs.

We dive into:
✨ Why cholesterol isn’t the real health villain
✨ How to master the "upward spiral" approach to sustainable fitness
✨ Breakthrough strategies that actually work
✨ Designing a health plan that fits your busy life

This episode is a reminder that fitness isn’t about vanity - it’s the foundation for thriving in all areas of life.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/086-forties-fitness-guide-with- alex-mearns

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Feeling stuck? You might be looking in the wrong place.

When we hit a crossroads, our instinct is to look outward - more advice, more inspiration, more answers. But here's the plot twist: the most powerful guidance system isn't out there. It's your own story.

Our lives leave breadcrumbs - moments that light us up, decisions that felt right in our bones, and work that made time disappear. These aren't random. They're clues to what's next.

In the latest episode of How to Live, I sit down with Fabrice Desmarescaux, who walked away from his McKinsey partnership to pursue something that called him deeper. Through reflection and mindful exploration, he discovered that purpose isn't a destination - it's a trail of discoveries.

We dive into:

✨ How to read the breadcrumbs of your past to shape your future

✨ Why most big decisions are rarely permanent (and why that's liberating)

✨ The sweet spot between ambition and self-awareness that creates lasting fulfillment

The path forward isn't about perfect clarity - it's about curiosity and courage.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/083-life-lessons-2024

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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4,000 weeks.

That’s all we get. The number of weeks most of us will live.
The average human life is "absurdly, insultingly brief."

As we step into 2025, this perspective—shared by Oliver Burkeman on the How to Live Podcast earlier this year—continues to resonate deeply. It’s a stark reminder to be intentional with the one resource we can never reclaim: time.

We’ve put together life lessons from extraordinary guests who appeared on the How to Live Podcast in the second half of 2024—thinkers who are reshaping how we live, work, and grow:

• Oliver Burkeman reframes time management with startling clarity.
• Aneace Haddad helps us navigate midlife transitions.
• Joel Pearson unveils the science of intuition.
• Sara Jane Ho elevates the art of human interaction.
• Simon Bowen introduces the power of visual thinking.
• Nir Eyal shares strategies for staying focused in a distracted world.
• John Dykes inspires with his journey of personal reinvention.
• Sha-En Yeo explores the science of happiness.
• Christina Wallace invites us to embrace a portfolio life.
• Matthew Dicks reveals the secrets of masterful storytelling.
• Drew Tarvin demonstrates humor’s ability to transform.
• Nick Jonsson offers a path to self-discovery and personal transformation.

This is more than a podcast—it’s a roadmap to living with intention, curiosity, and purpose.

As we close the chapter on 2024, I invite you to reflect on your own 4,000 weeks:
What will you do differently in the weeks ahead?

Don’t miss this powerful episode that brings all these lessons together in one place.

Here’s to a purposeful 2025. 🌟

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/084-life-lessons-deeper-dive-2024

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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“When I went bankrupt, I begged a friend who had built a unicorn for a 30-minute meeting. The moment we sat down, I could tell he didn’t want to be there.
Six months later, after working on myself, I went back with a clear vision and positive energy. This time, he introduced me to his network and offered his full support.
That experience taught me a powerful lesson: People are drawn to passion and purpose, not negativity."

This gem from Marc Nicholson, Founder of 1880, is just one of many transformative insights from our guests this year on the How to Live podcast.

As we wrap up 2024, we’ve pulled together a mixtape of wisdom from the first half of 2024 - a collection of the most thought-provoking, inspiring moments from the podcast.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:

• Derek Sivers on questioning the status quo to create a life you love.
• Marc Nicholson on purpose.
• Dani on finding deeper meaning and spirituality in everyday life.
• Esh on unlocking creativity and innovation.
• Karen & Mette on mastering emotional intelligence to thrive in relationships and work.
• Leanne & Arjun on entrepreneurial lessons learned the hard way.
• Natalia on the power of healing and renewal.

If you’re reflecting on the past year or gearing up for 2025, this episode is your masterclass in growth, purpose, and transformation.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/083-life-lessons-2024

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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What’s your relationship with alcohol?

This isn’t a preachy “quit drinking” episode but it’s about curiosity. Many of us enjoy a drink. It helps us connect, unwind, and feel at ease. But as we get older, we start noticing the side effects: restless sleep, sluggish mornings, or even feeling a bit off the next day.

It got me curious: What’s alcohol really doing to us? How can we enjoy the connection it fosters without the downsides?

In this episode of How to Live, I speak with Nick Jonsson, Co-Founder of EGN Network, bestselling author, and executive coach. A few years ago, Nick reached a breaking point with alcohol, turned his life around, and is now thriving personally and professionally.

We explore:

• How alcohol affects your body, mind, and ability to handle tough situations.
• The deeper issues drinking can mask.
• Practical ways to drink less without losing the joy of social connection.

This isn’t about quitting. It’s about curiosity to rethink our habits and finding a balance that works for us.

Give it a listen, and let me know what you think!

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/082-rethinking-happy-hour-with-Nick-Jonsson

Connect with Matthew
https://www.nickjonsson.com/

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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"I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing… because I don’t know what else to do."
Sound familiar?

Here’s the truth about being stuck: We wait for clarity before making a move. We want to see the whole path before we take the first step.

But what if we’ve got it backwards?

Think about it: Most people who’ve made significant moves in their lives didn’t start with perfect clarity. Many didn’t even end up where they thought they would.

Why? Because our greatest opportunities often lie in the “unknown unknowns”—that space we can’t see yet. The ideas and paths we don’t even know exist.

The key isn’t knowing where to go.
It’s knowing how to prepare for the move.

In today’s episode of How to Live, I break down:

• How to get unstuck without waiting for perfect clarity
• Why purpose becomes your greatest motivator
• How to systematically design your next wave - and why it could be your biggest yet

Because here’s what I’ve learned: The path reveals itself in the preparation.

Feeling stuck? Your next wave is waiting.

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
https://www.sharadlal.net/nextwave

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